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Calvin
Pronounced KAL-vin /ˈkæl.vɪn/High
Meaning: From a French surname built on Latin calvus, 'bald' - so 'little bald one.' It became a given name largely through the reformer John Calvin. It is overwhelmingly a boys' name; its use for a girl here is very unusual, and we say so plainly.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Calvin began as a French surname, Cauvin or Calvin, from Latin calvus, 'bald,' with a diminutive ending - 'little bald one.' It became a given name through Jean Cauvin, known in English as John Calvin, the sixteenth-century reformer whose theology shaped Reformed churches worldwide. Later bearers include President Calvin Coolidge and the designer Calvin Klein. It is overwhelmingly a boys' name, and its use for a girl is very unusual - we flag that clearly (said 'KAL-vin').
For girls it is extremely rare in the U.S., against long-standing and far heavier use for boys. Classic, but strongly boy-leaning.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Calvin mean?
Calvin means 'little bald one,' from Latin calvus, via a French surname; it is overwhelmingly a boy's name.
How do you pronounce Calvin?
It's said KAL-vin /ˈkæl.vɪn/ - two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Calvin a boy or girl name?
Calvin is overwhelmingly a boy's name. Its use for a girl, as here, is very unusual - we flag that plainly.
How popular is Calvin?
Calvin is extremely rare for girls in the U.S.; it is a long-established and much more common name for boys.